James I of Bourbon, Count of La Marche

James I of Bourbon (1319–1362), son of Duke Louis I, was Count of La Marche from 1341 and founder of the line that, seven generations on, gave France Henry IV. He fought for Charles de Blois in Brittany.

Closeness to King John II brought him the county of Ponthieu in 1351 and the office of Constable of France. At Poitiers in 1356 he was wounded and captured. The 1360 Treaty of Brétigny freed him but cost him Ponthieu, returned to the English.

When the Free Companies of discharged mercenaries ravaged the countryside, John ordered him to raise an army against them. On 6 April 1362 the companies surprised and routed it at Brignais; James and his eldest son died of their wounds at Lyon.